Seniors and post-storm hazards in Oshawa

By most accounts, Oshawa staff did a commendable job of cleaning up after last weekend's winter storm.

Main roads were plowed and salted, secondary and neighbourhood streets were targeted as progress was made in clearing the wet and heavy mess.

But at least one group of citizens spent several frightening days trying to navigate a dangerous section of the overpass above the Oshawa Creek on John Street, forced onto the road -- with oncoming traffic -- because the piles of snow pushed up by plows covered the sidewalk entirely. It was high enough that it met the top of the bridge's chest-high safety rail for pedestrians.

The bridge is a common route for area seniors; there are three seniors' residences nearby. Oshawa resident Peter Mooney was concerned enough about the situation on Sunday, fully 24 hours after the storm had passed, and contacted City Hall to report the hazard. He says he was told there were three similar calls about the bridge, so City officials certainly knew of the hazard. Why then, did it take until Tuesday afternoon, three days after the storm, to have the dangerous mess cleared?

Jeff Goodall, another Oshawa resident and senior who lives in the area, contacted This Week with similar concerns about the hazardous snow piles. His individual attempt at addressing the hazard, by reporting it at the local police division, was met with indifference. And still, the piles remained.

And though Oshawa Mayor John Henry personally responded to several e-mails and phone calls from concerned residents about post-storm cleanup services and requests, for which he deserves credit, it cannot excuse the inaction.

Oshawa residents must have a reasonable expectation of safety. When a hazard develops, it must be dealt with quickly and efficiently. In short, someone has to take charge and take the lead in the interests of service and safety.

It's a discredit to Oshawa City staff for allowing such a hazard to exist for such an extended period of time.

Residents don't care, nor should they, under whose jurisdiction snow-clearing responsibilities might fall. Indeed, there are protocols City staff must follow when the snow flies, but surely there are contingencies for dealing, quickly, with potential hazards.

The cost, if weighed against a potentially untimely and unfortunate accident as a consequence of inaction, would be negligible in comparison.
-- Oshawa This Week